APOPKA, Fla. — Despite budget concerns, Apopka city leaders are considering a possible annexation of the historically black area of South Apopka.

If passed, it would reunite two communities separated years ago by segregation.

What You Need To Know

  • 714 acres currently run by Orange County would move under city jurisdiction.

  • South Apopka was separated from Apopka during segregation

  • The city was once incorporated as one area in 1882

  • City would hire 15 new police officers, 18 firefighters & build a new fire station

Currently, 714 acres of Apopka are managed by Orange County, and some believe the area lacks the services that the rest of Apopka benefits from.

South Apopka is unincorporated and services such as police, fire, and sewer are currently handled by Orange County.

Apopka mayor Bryan Nelson says the city would have to pay for 15 new police officers, 18 firefighters, a new fire station and a host of infrastructure changes to get South Apopka up to code.

The city estimates it would cost taxpayers $2 million per year to pay for all the upgraded services.

That amount includes additional revenue collected by South Apopka homeowners.

“Two million is a big hit. And if the only way you can pay for that defect is with property taxes, it would accrue to about two million dollars in property taxes. So that’s substantial,” said Nelson.

The mayor wants to know why Orange County does not pay for South Apopka upgrades.

“Why doesn’t the county step in?” he says. 

“They are a five billion or six-billion-dollar entity. Why don’t they take care of the needs or wants that South Apopka has?”

Apopka city commissioner Alexander Smith said the two areas shouldn’t be separate and should be merged as one.

“South Apopka has been isolated from the city and not involved in city government. And so, for them to play a role in city government, as to who the mayor or city commissioners are, they need to be city residents,” said Smith.

Smith says it would cost all Apopka residents around $14 a year in higher property taxes to make the change.

Francina Boykin was born in South Apopka 72 years ago. She says the city has been talking about annexation since the 1980s.

“This was the neighborhood I was born in. It was called Dolly Quarters back then,” said Boykin.

The long-time resident feels annexation would not change anything. “If annexation was on the ballot today, I would probably say no,” she said.

Both the mayor and commissioner say they are still taking input from residents along with completing local studies to determine Apopka’s future as one city.

The mayor said annexation could get on the ballot by March 2024.